Ellen is out as Idol judge

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Ellen DeGeneres is dancing off "AmericanIdol" after one season, leaving Fox's hit show with two vacancieson its judging panel.

If the singing contest intends to revamp itself to stem aratings slide, it has the opportunity to bring in two new faces forseason 10 in January.

Fox has yet to announce a replacement for Simon Cowell, who leftafter the season finale in May to start a new talent show for thenetwork.

"A couple months ago, I let Fox and the `American Idol'producers know that this didn't feel like the right fit for me,"DeGeneres said in a statement. The comedian-talk show host said sherealized that while she "loved discovering, supporting andnurturing young talent, it was hard for me to judge people andsometimes hurt their feelings."

DeGeneres said she told the network she would delay any actionuntil it had time to "figure out where they wanted to take thepanel next."

A Fox statement contained no announcement of a replacement forDeGeneres. The network could make an announcement Monday, when itpresents its 2010-11 programming schedule to members of theTelevision Critics Association meeting in Beverly Hills.

Judge, Kara DioGuardi, who was brought in two years ago toreplace Paula Abdul, is not under contract for next year and Foxhas not announced whether she'll return.

"It was a joy to work with Ellen," said Mike Darnell,president of alternative entertainment for Fox. "She brought anincredible spirit to Idol."

When DeGeneres joined the show, proclaiming herself a fan of"American Idol" and a pop aficionado, observers noted she didn'tbring music industry expertise to her role.

Some observers complained she proved more of a cheerleader than an incisive criticin the mold of Cowell.

She had a reported two-year contract.

"American Idol" was the nation's favorite program last season,the seventh time it's held that position. But it showed rarevulnerability, beaten in the weekly ratings several times by ABC's"Dancing with the Stars."

A total of 24.2 million viewers watched the ninth season's finalduel between Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox, compared to thenearly 29 million viewers who saw Kris Allen win over Adam Lambertlast year.

Two vehicles caught fire after a house fire in Ensley. (Source: Greg Long/WBRC)

Birmingham firefighters are working three different fires in Ensley. They were called to a house fire on Bush Boulevard around 3:30 a.m. Monday. Fire officials say that fire happened in the living room and everyone got out safely.

Birmingham firefighters are working three different fires in Ensley. They were called to a house fire on Bush Boulevard around 3:30 a.m. Monday. Fire officials say that fire happened in the living room and everyone got out safely.